Fire near Lebec now 65 percent contained

Firefighters made a lot of progress battling a brush fire near Lebec overnight Friday into early Saturday, the Kern County Fire Department said, and now have the fire 65 percent contained.

The Rancho Fire has burned 720 acres.The KCFD said Saturday morning that crews will continue suppression work and still provide structure protection to homes in the Oak Knolls area of Digier canyon, which is located to the west of Fort Tejon State Historic Park.

Twenty-six home are still threatened, the KCFD said, and some evacuations remain in place.

An evacuation center has been set up at Gorman School

Ft. Tejon State Historic Park will be closed until further notice.

About 500 people are assigned to the fire.

Equipment committed the fire includes 17 engines, four air tankers, five helicopters, four water tenders, three bulldozers and 12 hand crews.